Patent GB-726942-A (GB)
Title: An improved implement for picking up and elevating hay bales and other packages
IPC: A01D87/12
Filed: 1952-07-11
Abstract: 726,942. Conveyers. BELLINGHAM, B. R. June 10, 1953 [July 11, 1952], No. 17594/52. Class 78 (1). An implement for picking up and elevating hay bales and other packages comprises a wheeled chassis, means for connecting the chassis to a transport vehicle, a pylon or column mounted on the chassis and supporting a rotatable elevated platform, and a jib structure connected for luffing movement to the platform and supporting an endless conveyer. As shown, the column 33 is rotatably mounted at the rear of the chassis 1 on a transverse member 5 and is supported at its upper end by three stays 37 secured to a sleeve 36 in which the post is rotatable. The platform 40 is secured to the top of the post by struts and carries side members 39 supporting a transverse shaft 54 (Fig. 7) on which the jib 55 is pivoted and which drives the conveyer. The conveyer consists of a pair of chains 91 passed over sprockets 90 on the shaft 54 and sprockets 89 on a shaft 88 at the front end of the jib structure, the chains being connected by transverse bars 92 carrying tines 93. The jib consists of a pair of rails 56, 57 at each side and further side rails 63 and resilient top members 148 for guiding bales of hay and preventing them from rolling. The top members 148 are pressed downwardly on to the bales by springs (not shown) associated with support members 143. The jib is also provided with rails 65 along which run rollers 70 on the ends of a pair of diverging arms 67 pivoted to a lug 66 (Fig. 4) on the column 33 so that the jib can be luffed by means of a pair of cables 82 extending from the ends of the arms 67 to a shaft 76 (Fig. 13) on the jib around which it is wound by rotation of a hand wheel 74 geared to the shaft by sprocket chain reduction gearing. A pawl and ratchet (not shown) is associated with shaft 76 to prevent the jib falling. The jib may be luffed by power from the motor 102 on the chassis 1 which is used for driving the conveyer in reverse (see below), and is slewed by hand but power from the motor 102 may be used. The chassis 1 has rear ground wheels 14 and front skids 8 and is detachably connected to the vehicle 15 by three links 18, 20, 22. The links 18, 22 are adjustable in length. In use the jib is first adjusted parallel to the vehicle 15 and lowered until its front end engages locating guides 87 on the chassis which guide it on to stops 86 secured to guides 87 so as to be adjustable in height. This locates the jib between a pair of arms 30 diverging forwardly and located in sleeves 27 mounted on the skids 8 so that by removing a pin 31 from aligned holes in the arms and sleeves, the arms can be rotated in the sleeves and so turned inwards whereby mating lugs 30a, 30c on their ends can be joined by a pin to form a drawbar for towing the chassis when not in use. The arms 30 act when the chassis is travelling over the ground, drawn by the vehicle, to direct bales between guide plates 150 on the jib structure on to a pick up roller 138 (Fig. 13) having rotor arms 1.38a located in advance of the conveyer and driven therefrom by a sprocket connection between the shafts 138 and 88. At this time the conveyer is driven from the ground wheels 14 through a disengageable dog clutch 96 on the shaft 13 interconnecting the wheels, which are mounted on the shaft through ratchet hubs 153 to provide differential gearing, the clutch 96 driving a loose sprocket 94 connected by chain 113 to a layshaft 110 eonnected through bevel gearing to a shaft 124 within the column 33, shaft 124 being connected at its upper end through further bevel gearing to shaft 128 (Fig. 7) having one sprocket connection to shaft 54 of the conveyer and another sprocket connection to a shaft 133 on which are provided rotor blades 133a for engaging the bales at the upper end of the conveyer and delivering them to the platform 40. The bales are deflected from platform 40 to the vehicle by a deflector 46 incorporating a plate 46a which is pivoted at 42 above the platform and adjustable over the latter by a perforated stay 47 engaging a peg 49. A hinged shoot 51 supports the bales as they pass to the vehicle. To unload the vehicle the jib is raised and slewed to extend outwards from the vehicle, the deflector 46 being hinged out of the way of the platform 40 so that the bales can be placed thereon directly from the vehicle. The conveyer, rotor arms 138a and rotor blades 133a are then driven in reverse by disconnecting the clutch 96 and connecting another dog clutch 118 between the layshaft 110 and a loose sprocket 114 connected by a chain 115 with a shaft 106 driven by the motor 102. Positioning of the bales is assisted by a guide plate 50 supported from the platform and guide plates 151 on the jib structure which overlap the plate 50 when the jib is in raised position.